Mountain Meadows in Bloom: Preserving Daffodils in Karavanke through Community Conservation

An inspiring joint action in the Karavanke region unites farmers and conservationists to protect daffodil habitats and boost biodiversity.

In Slovenia’s Karavanke Mountains, the European Green Belt Initiative blossoms—quite literally. For many years, local community of Jesenice have cared for the rich biodiversity of their alpine meadows—especially the iconic daffodil fields near Golica through sustainable agricultural practices. These traditional efforts laid the groundwork for more structured conservation, which was strengthened in 2024 through the ReCo project as part of the broader European Green Belt initiative.

ReCo built on this local commitment by promoting sustainable land management practices, such as later mowing, organic fertilization, and careful maintenance of steep slopes. In collaboration with the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, the project introduced a reseeding programme using seeds from local meadows to help restore declining daffodil populations.

A variety of awareness-raising activities engaged residents and visitors, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and responsible behaviour in nature. Educational hikes, workshops for landowners, and immersive virtual experiences highlighted the ecological value of mountain meadows. The involvement of new landowners and increasing public support laid the foundation for long-term stewardship and strengthened the role of this unique alpine landscape within the European Green Belt.

 

This action is part of the Joint Pilot Action “Habitats – Mountains,” implemented in the ReCo project in 2024 and 2025 and funded under the Interreg Central Europe Programme.

For more information, please contact: Mateja Korošec, Business Support Center Kranj; mateja.korosec@bsc-kranj.si